JPH1166398A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability by enabling input operation without releasing a medium and to shorten operating time by providing plural antennas for communicating with a medium such as an IC card while contactlessly making the medium proximate, and performing input processing such as the selection and confirmation of merchandise based on the position of a reception antenna. SOLUTION: A display 2 with touch panel is provided and plural antennas 3a-3f are installed for communicating with the medium such as the IC card while contactlessly proximating the medium. The medium IC card or the like transmits a special electromagnetic wave showing personal data the ID or remainder or the like of a medium holding person to the antennas 3a-3f. Any antenna, which receives the transmitted signal from the medium, supplies the received signal to a transmission/reception circuit 6. The transmission/reception circuit 6 specifies the antenna, which receives the transmitted signal from the medium, and supplies data showing the position of that reception antenna, namely, data showing a push-button, with which the input operation is performed by the medium holding person, to a control circuit 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vending machine which sells products by enabling input operations using a medium such as a non-contact type IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional vending machine such as a ticket vending machine, an IC is used.
Media such as cards or magnetic cards are used exclusively for payment.

In a conventional vending machine in which a medium such as a card can be used, a medium is first inserted into a card slot of the vending machine, and an operator performs a series of input operations. Will be returned.

[0004] This is considered to be analogous to the cash input procedure in a vending machine because the medium is used exclusively for payment. The operation procedure of the cash input type and card input type vending machine is almost as follows. • Cash input type: cash input → product selection → product discharge, change receipt ・ Card input type: card insertion → product selection → product discharge, card reception In such a conventional vending machine, the operation procedure is as follows. ,
The user once releases the medium.

[0005] On the other hand, even in a vending machine which can use a non-contact type card medium, a product is still selected by a push button. As an operation procedure, the user temporarily releases the medium by first inserting the card medium or placing the card medium on the mounting table. The operation procedure of a vending machine using a contactless card is almost as follows.・ Non-contact card use type: Non-contact card insertion (or placement on the mounting table) → Product selection → Product discharge, card receipt

[0006]

A conventional vending machine in which a user once removes a card medium has the following problems. : It takes time and effort to insert and receive the card medium. : The user may forget to take the card medium. When the non-contact card is placed on the mounting table, there is a possibility that the card medium may be robbed by a malicious person during operation of the vending machine.

On the other hand, when the non-contact card is operated by pressing the push button with the hand, the push button is difficult to press with the hand holding the card medium, and the operability is difficult, and the card medium is accidentally dropped and damaged. There is a possibility that.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine having a plurality of antennas for communicating with a medium such as an IC card by bringing the medium close to the medium in a non-contact manner and receiving a transmission signal from the medium. Based on the position of the antenna,
It has means for performing input processing such as selection and confirmation of a product.

By providing the above means, the user can perform an input operation such as selecting a product of a vending machine without releasing the medium such as an IC card. Therefore, the operability can be improved by eliminating the trouble of putting the medium into the medium slot, and the operation time can be shortened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, the means performs the confirmation input when communication between the medium and the antenna continues for a predetermined time or more. .

By providing the above means, it is possible to save the trouble of separately performing the operation of the confirmation input and to improve the operability.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the first aspect, each antenna is disposed inside or near a push button for realizing an input operation, and is pushed by communication between the medium and each antenna. An input operation equivalent to an operation of pressing a button is enabled.

Since the input operation by communication between the medium and the antenna is possible and the input operation by the push button is also possible, even those who do not have a medium such as a non-contact type IC card can use the vending machine of the present invention. You can use it to purchase products.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vending machine according to the first aspect, further comprising a display for displaying a push button for realizing an input operation, wherein the plurality of antennas are arranged on a display screen of the display. Due to the communication between the medium and each antenna,
An input operation equivalent to an operation of pressing a push button is enabled.

By arranging a plurality of antennas on the display screen of the display, it is possible to accurately detect the position of a medium that generates a transmission signal, and to detect a push button for which a user desires an input operation. Can be. By integrating the display with an antenna, the vending machine can be reduced in size. For example, an antenna may be formed by a transparent electrode using a display provided with a touch panel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vending machine according to the first aspect, further comprising a display for displaying a push button for realizing an input operation, wherein the plurality of antennas are arranged around a display screen of the display. The medium holder detects a push button for which an input operation is desired based on a detection level of a reception signal of each antenna.

By arranging a plurality of antennas around the display screen of the display, the antenna can be externally attached to the display and the position of the medium generating the transmission signal can be detected. The desired pushbutton (near the media) can be detected. By integrating the display with an antenna, the vending machine can be reduced in size.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a vending machine 1 according to the present invention.
3 is a simplified block configuration diagram of FIG.

The vending machine 1 includes a display 2 with a touch panel, and is provided with a plurality of antennas 3a to 3f that communicate with a medium (not shown) such as an IC card by bringing the medium (not shown) into proximity without contact. It is. Display 2 is CRT or L
It is composed of a CD or the like. The antennas 3a to 3f are constituted by transparent electrodes in the touch panel.

The medium such as an IC card has a medium holder ID.
A special electromagnetic wave indicating personal data such as
a to 3f. Any of the antennas receiving the transmission signal from the medium supplies the reception signal to the transmission / reception circuit 6. The transmission / reception circuit 6 specifies an antenna that has received a transmission signal from the medium, and sends data indicating the (position) of the reception antenna, that is, data indicating a push button on which an input operation has been performed by the medium holder, to the control circuit 7. Supply. Also,
The transmission / reception circuit 6 supplies the received personal data to the control circuit 7.

The control circuit 7 detects an input operation such as selection and confirmation of a product based on data indicating a receiving antenna (data indicating a pressed push button). The control circuit 7 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.
It governs overall control of the vending machine 1. Various control programs are stored in the ROM, and the CPU executes the control programs.

For example, when data indicating the antenna 3a (push button 2A) is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 6, the control circuit 7 detects that the product A (for example, curry bread) has been selected by the medium holder. For example, the control circuit 7
When the data indicating the antenna 3b (the push button 2B) is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 6, it detects that the commodity B (for example, anpan) has been selected by the medium holder. For example,
When the data indicating the antenna 3c (the push button 2C) is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 6, the control circuit 7 detects that the commodity C (for example, jam bread) is selected by the medium holder.

For example, when the control circuit 7 is supplied with data indicating the antenna 3d (push button 2D) from the transmission / reception circuit 6, the previously selected products A to C are canceled by the medium holder. Is detected. For example,
When data indicating the antenna 3e (the push button 2E) is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 6, the control circuit 7 detects that the medium holder has an intention to use the vending machine 1. For example, the control circuit 7 controls the antenna 3f (the push button 2F)
Is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 6, the previously selected products A to C detect that the media holder has confirmed the selection of the products.

The control circuit 7 controls the display on the display 2 and
The display 2 displays push buttons 2A to 2F for realizing an input operation. The antennas 3a to 3f are located in the display areas of the push buttons 2A to 2F. Control circuit 7
Controls the actuator 8 to discharge the products A to C to the outlet of the vending machine 1.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a vending machine 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Vending machines 11
Here, the antennas 4a to 4f are used instead of the antennas 3a to 3f of the vending machine 1 in FIG. Vending machines 11
In this configuration, the antennas 4a to 4f are positioned so as to cover the display areas of the push buttons 2A to 2F, and the other configurations are the same as those of the vending machine 1. Antennas 4a-4f
Is constituted by a transparent electrode in the touch panel.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a vending machine 21 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This vending machine 21 is provided with a display 20, and is provided with a plurality of antennas 5a to 5h that communicate with a medium such as an IC card by bringing the medium into close proximity without contact. The antennas 5a to 5h are
It is attached to a frame around the display screen 20Z.

The medium such as an IC card has a medium holder ID.
A special electromagnetic wave indicating personal data such as the balance and the balance is transmitted to the antennas 5a to 5h. Any of the antennas receiving the transmission signal from the medium supplies the reception signal to the transmission / reception circuit 60. The transmission / reception circuit 60 supplies data indicating the (position) of the push button closest to the medium to the control circuit 70 based on the detection levels of the reception signals of the antennas 5a to 5h.
Further, the transmission / reception circuit 60 supplies the received personal data to the control circuit 70.

The control circuit 70 detects an input operation such as selection and confirmation of a product based on data indicating a push button closest to the medium. The control circuit 70 includes a CPU, a ROM, and an R
AM and controls the entire vending machine 21. Various control programs are stored in the ROM, and the CPU executes the control programs.

For example, the control circuit 70 controls the push button 2A
Is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 60, it is detected that the commodity A (for example, curry bread) is selected by the medium holder. For example, when the control circuit 70 receives data indicating the push button 2B from the transmission / reception circuit 60,
It is detected that the commodity B (for example, anpan) has been selected by the medium holder. For example, when data indicating the push button 2C is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 60, the control circuit 70 detects that the commodity C (for example, jam bread) has been selected by the medium holder.

For example, the control circuit 70 has a push button 2D
Is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 60, it is detected that the selection of the previously selected products A to C has been canceled by the medium holder. For example, the control circuit 70
When data indicating the push button 2E is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 60, it is detected that the medium holder has an intention to use the vending machine 21. For example, when data indicating the push button 2F is supplied from the transmission / reception circuit 60, the control circuit 70 detects that the selection of the previously selected products A to C has been confirmed by the medium holder.

The control circuit 70 controls the display of the display 20, and the display 20 has push buttons 2A to 2A to realize an input operation.
Display 2F. The control circuit 70 controls the drive of the actuator 8 and discharges the products A to C to the outlet of the vending machine 21.

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart for explaining the operation of the vending machine of the present invention. In step F1, a medium holder who intends to use a vending machine is awaited. The control circuit 7 (or the control circuit 70) operates the “start” push button 2
Wait until the medium approaches E. When the medium is brought close to the “start” push button 2E, the transmission / reception circuit 6 (or the transmission / reception circuit 60) supplies data indicating the push button 2E to the control circuit 7 and uses the transmission signal from the medium for security check. Are supplied to the control circuit 7 and the personal data stored in the medium.

In step F2, the validity of the medium is checked to perform a security check such as falsification, and the remaining amount stored in the medium is compared with the minimum price of the product of the vending machine. If the medium passes the security check and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the minimum amount of the product, the process proceeds to step F4. If the medium does not pass the security check, or if the remaining amount is smaller than the minimum amount of the product, the process proceeds to step F3,
The display 2 performs an error display indicating this for a certain period of time (in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 7), and the control circuit 7 ends the processing.

In step F4, the display unit 2 displays a push button of a commodity that can be purchased with the remaining amount (in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 7). For example, if the product A is 200 yen, the product B is 150 yen, the product C is 120 yen, and the remaining amount is 150 yen, the push buttons 2A and 2B of the products A and B and the push buttons 2D, 2E and 2F Is displayed. The display of the push button 2C of the product C is not performed.

In step F5, the process waits until a product is selected by the medium holder. When detecting that the medium has approached the push buttons 2A to 2C, the display 2 blinks the approached push button (by an instruction from the control circuit 7) and proceeds to step F6.

In step F6, it is determined whether or not the product selection has been canceled by the medium holder. If it is detected that the medium has approached the “cancel” push button 2D,
The control circuit 7 ends the processing. "Cancel" push button 2
If it is not detected that the medium has approached D, the process proceeds to step F7.

In step F7, it is determined whether or not the product selection has been confirmed by the medium holder. When it is not detected that the medium has approached the push button 2F of “confirm”,
It returns to step F5. If it is detected that the medium has approached the “confirm” push button 2F, the process proceeds to step F8.

In step F8, payment processing is performed.
Discharge the selected product. The control circuit 7 controls the antenna 3f (or the antennas 4f and 5f) or all the antennas 3f.
a to 3f (or all antennas 4a to 4f, 5a to 5
Using h), the amount obtained by subtracting the price of the selected product from the remaining amount stored in the medium is stored in the medium. Further, the price of the selected product is subtracted from the deposit balance of the media holder of the bank using the network. The control circuit 7 drives and controls the actuator 8 to discharge the product to the exit.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the vending machine of the present invention. In step F11, the process waits for a medium holder who intends to use the vending machine. The control circuit 7 waits until the medium approaches the push buttons 2A to 2C of “Commodities A to C”. "Product A
When the medium approaches any one of the push buttons 2A to 2C, the transmission / reception circuit 6 supplies the control circuit 7 with data indicating the approached push button, and performs a security check based on a transmission signal from the medium. And the data indicating the balance stored in the medium are supplied to the control circuit 7.

In step F12, the validity of the medium is checked to perform a security check such as alteration, and the remaining amount stored in the medium is compared with the minimum price of the vending machine. If the medium passes the security check and the remaining amount is equal to or more than the minimum amount of the product, the process proceeds to step F14. If the medium does not pass the security check, or if the remaining amount is smaller than the minimum amount of the product, the process proceeds to step F13, and the display 2 displays an error indicating this for a certain period of time (by an instruction from the control circuit 7). , The control circuit 7 ends the processing.

In step F14, the display 2 displays a push button of a commodity that can be purchased with the remaining amount (in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 7). For example, product A is 200 yen and product B
Is 150 yen, the product C is 120 yen, and the balance is 150 yen, the push buttons 2A and 2B of the products A and B and the push buttons 2D, 2E and 2F are displayed. The display of the push button 2C of the product C is not performed.

In step F15, the process waits until a product is selected by the medium holder. Medium is push button 2A-2C
When the control circuit 7 detects that the push button is approached, the control circuit 7 temporarily stores the approached push button, and the display 2 blinks (in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 7) the approached push button. move on. In step F16,
The timer is started to start counting the time t.

In step F17, it is determined whether or not the product selection has been canceled by the medium holder. If the control circuit 7 detects that the medium has approached the "cancel" push button 2D, the control circuit 7 ends the processing. If it is not detected that the medium has approached the "cancel" push button 2D, the process proceeds to step F18.

In step F18, it is determined whether the medium has moved. This is to deal with a case where the medium holder selects another product again or a case where the product selection is canceled a little later. When the medium is approached to another push button other than the push button temporarily stored in the control circuit 7, it is determined that the medium has moved, and step F1 is executed.
Return to 5. When the medium is close to the same push button as the push button temporarily stored in the control circuit 7,
It is determined that the medium has not moved, and the process proceeds to step F19.

In step F19, it is determined whether or not the time t counted by the timer is equal to or longer than a predetermined time tm. If the time t is less than the predetermined time tm, step F
Return to 17. If the time t is equal to or longer than the predetermined time tm, it is determined that the medium holder has confirmed the product selection, and the process proceeds to step F2.
Go to 0. Since the confirmation input is made by the communication being continued for a predetermined time tm or more, the operability can be improved by eliminating the trouble of separately performing the operation of the confirmation input.

In step F20, payment processing is performed, and the selected product is discharged. The control circuit 7 uses the antennas 3a to 3c to store, on the medium, an amount obtained by subtracting the price of the selected product from the remaining amount stored on the medium. Further, the price of the selected product is subtracted from the deposit balance of the media holder of the bank using the network. The control circuit 7
The drive of the actuator 8 is controlled to discharge the product to the exit.

By performing the operation as shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 2 can reduce the display space of the "start" and "confirm" push buttons 2E and 2F, and can enlarge the display space of the product push buttons. Can be. There are many products to sell,
If the “product” push button does not fit on one screen, the “next screen” or “previous screen” push button may be displayed, and the “product” push button may also be displayed on the next screen. .

In the above embodiment, the vending machine is provided with a display for displaying a push button. However, a push button for realizing an input operation is provided as in a conventional vending machine, and the inside of the push button is provided. Alternatively, an antenna may be provided near the antenna. The transmission / reception circuit may be configured to include an LSI and perform complicated calculations and processes. The transmission / reception circuit and the control circuit may be integrally configured. Further, the above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0049]

According to the vending machine of the first aspect, the user can perform an input operation such as selecting a product of the vending machine without releasing the medium such as an IC card. Therefore,
The user can save the trouble of inserting the medium into the medium slot, improve operability, and shorten the operation time.

According to the vending machine of the second aspect, the operability can be improved by eliminating the trouble of separately performing the operation of the confirmation input.

According to the vending machine of the third aspect, since the input operation by communication between the medium and the antenna is possible and the input operation by the push button is possible, the medium such as a non-contact type IC card can be used. Even those who do not have the vending machine of the present invention can purchase products.

According to the vending machine of the fourth aspect, by arranging a plurality of antennas on the display screen of the display, the position of the medium generating the transmission signal can be detected with high accuracy.
The user can detect a push button that the user desires to input. By integrating the display with an antenna, the vending machine can be reduced in size.

According to the vending machine of the fifth aspect, by arranging a plurality of antennas around the display screen of the display, the antenna is externally attached to the display and the position of the medium generating the transmission signal is detected. The user can detect a push button near the medium on which the user desires an input operation. Therefore, since the correspondence between each antenna and the push button (display) is not fixed to one-to-one, the number and layout of the push buttons on the display screen can be freely changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a vending machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a vending machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart illustrating the operation of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the vending machine of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,11,21 ... Vending machine 2,20 ... Display 2Z, 20Z ... Display screen 3a-3f, 4a-4f, 5a-5h ... Antenna 6,60 ... Transceiving circuit 7,70 ... Control circuit 8 ... Actuator

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vending machine (1) for selling goods, comprising a plurality of antennas (3a to 3f) for communicating with a medium such as an IC card by bringing the medium close to the medium in a non-contact manner, and transmitting from the medium. Means (7) for performing input processing such as selection and confirmation of a product based on the position of the antenna that has received the signal.
A vending machine characterized by having: 2. The automatic vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said means (7) performs confirmation input when communication between the medium and the antenna continues for a predetermined time (tm) or more. Machine. 3. Each of the antennas (3a to 3f) is disposed inside or near a push button (2A to 2F) for realizing an input operation, and communicates between a medium and each of the antennas (3a to 3f). ,
2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein an input operation equivalent to an operation of pressing a push button (2A to 2F) is enabled. 4. A push button (2A-) for realizing an input operation
2F), a plurality of antennas (3a to 3f) are arranged on a display screen (2Z) of the display (2), and a medium and each antenna (3a to 3f) are displayed. Communication with
2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein an input operation equivalent to an operation of pressing a push button (2A to 2F) is enabled. 5. Push buttons (2A to 2A) for realizing an input operation
2F), a plurality of antennas (5a to 5h) are provided around a display screen (20Z) of the display (20), and a plurality of antennas (5a to 5h) are provided. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the medium holder detects a push button for which an input operation is desired based on the detection level of the received signal.